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Autumn 2026 Program Highlights

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
WHAT TIME IS IT?

DRENE TIME (3-2-47) Starring Don Ameche, Frances Langford and Danny Thomas, with announcer Tobe Reed, Carmen Dragon and the Orchestra. Danny sings about his new invention; later, the cast perform a Bickersons sketch. Drene Shampoo, NBC. (30 min)
MARCH OF TIME (10-28-37) A program devoted to dramatizing news stories of the past week, narrated by Westbrook Van Voorhis, with Bill Johnstone, Everett Sloane, Karl Swenson, Agnes Moorehead. Stories include the New York mayoral election, political unrest in Hungary, Ireland’s new vice laws, and the new session of Parliament. Time, NBC. (30 min)
CURTAIN TIME (2-7-48) “Broadway Interlude” starring Harry Elders and Nannette Sergeant. A theatrical producer falls in love with a young actress appearing in his new show. Cast: George Cisar, Geraldine Kay, Margaret Brayton, Arthur Peterson. Mars Candy, NBC. (31 min)
PHILCO RADIO TIME (6-4-47) Bing Crosby stars in a broadcast from New York, with announcer Glenn Riggs, pianist Skitch Henderson, John Scott Trotter and the Orchestra and guests Fred Allen and Connee Boswell, who sings “Chi Baba Chi Baba.” BIng sings “I Do Like You,” “My Heart is a Home” and others. Philco, ABC. (30 min)
HOLLYWOOD STAR TIME (5-19-46) “The Lodger” starring Vincent Price and Cathy Lewis (substituting for Ida Lupino) in a radio adaptation of the 1944 movie. In 1888 London, a landlady suspects her new tenant may be Jack the Ripper. Frigidaire, CBS. (30 min)
ARTHUR GODFREY TIME (11-12-47) With Jeanette Davis, the Mariners, announcer Harry Marble, Archie Bleyer and his orchestra, guest Bob Farrell. Arthur sings “Mother Never Told Me” and talks about a group for expectant fathers and items he’s received from listeners. Chesterfield Cigarettes, CBS. (29 min)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME!

RED SKELTON SHOW (6-3-51) With Lurene Tuttle, Dick Ryan, announcer Rod O’Connor, David Rose and the Orchestra, trumpeter Rafael Mendez. The Skelton Scrapbook of Satire presents “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” as Red and Rod go to the baseball game and run into Willy Lump-Lump and Clem Kadiddlehopper. Tide, CBS. (30 min)
ON STAGE (4-16-53) “Casey at the Bat” starring Cathy and Elliott Lewis in a radio play inspired by the famous poem by Ernest Lawrence Thayer, the “real story” about a famous baseball game in 1888. With Hy Averback as Casey, Herb Butterfield as Wicks, Howard McNear, Byron Kane, Hal March, Sidney Miller, Peter Leeds. Sustaining, CBS. (30 min)
HALLMARK PLAYHOUSE (10-7-48) “Elmer the Great” starring Bob Hope in a radio adaptation of the play by Ring Lardner, about a country bumpkin who becomes a star baseball player. Cast includes Gerald Mohr, Jeff Chandler. James Hilton hosts; announcer is Frank Goss. Hallmark Cards, CBS. (29 min)
BOSTON BLACKIE (4-27-46) Dick Kollmar is Blackie, with Jan Miner as Mary Wesley, Maurice Tarplin as Inspector Faraday. A gambler schemes to introduce a star baseball player to an alluring young woman. Cast includes Larry Haines, Bill Slater. Syndicated. (25 min)
OUR MISS BROOKS (3-26-50) Eve Arden stars as Connie Brooks, with Gale Gordon as Principal Conklin, Jeff Chandler as Mr. Boynton, Richard Crenna as Walter Denton, Jane Morgan, Gloria McMillan, Frank Nelson. It’s the start of baseball season at Madison High School, but the school can’t afford uniforms for the team. Colgate-Palmolive, CBS. (29 min)
CAVALCADE OF AMERICA (4-24-39) The show celebrates the centennial of baseball with the story of how Abner Doubleday arranged the first game of baseball and how the sport grew and evolved to create the National and American Leagues. Cast involves Karl Swenson, Kenny Delmar. DuPont, CBS. (30 min)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3

THE SHADOW (3-5-39) “Sabotage By Air” starring Bill Johnstone as Lamont Cranston, with Agnes Moorehead as the lovely Margot Lane. Lamont hears a mysterious radio transmission and discovers plans to destroy an experimental plane. The Shadow investigates. Cast includes Kenny Delmar, Martin Gabel. Blue Coal, MBS. (30 min)
PHIL HARRIS-ALICE FAYE SHOW (12-12-48) With Elliott Lewis as Frank Remley, Walter Tetley as Julius Abbruzzio, Gale Gordon as Mr. Scott. Phil promises to find a sitter for Mr. Scott’s baby and Remley is pressed into service. Alice sings “Down Among the Sheltering Palms.” Rexall, NBC. (30 min)
GUEST STAR (4-15-56) “The Grey Hat” starring Vincent Price as a district attorney who is forced to prosecute his fiancee’s brother. With Lawrence Dobkin, Betty Lou Gerson, announcer Del Sharbutt, Harry Sosnick and the Orchestra. U.S. Treasury Department, Syndicated. (15 min)
FIBBER McGEE AND MOLLY (1-31-50) Jim and Marian Jordan star as the McGees, who join their friends for an old-fashioned sleigh ride. With Bill Thompson, Arthur Q. Bryan, Gale Gordon, Dick LeGrand, Elvia Allman, Herb Vigran, announcer Harlow Wilcox, the King’s Men, Billy Mills and the Orchestra. Johnson’s Wax, NBC. (30 min)
PAT NOVAK FOR HIRE (3-6-49) Jack Webb stars as Novak, with Raymond Burr as Inspector Hellman and Tudor Owen as Jocko Madigan. A jockey hires Novak to find a missing race horse. Cast includes Virginia Gregg, Tol Avery, Stacy Harris, Hugh Thomas. Sustaining, ABC. (30 min) Read the article about Pat Novak For Hire in the Autumn 2026 issue of Nostalgia Digest.
FRANK SINATRA SHOW (4-25-45) With announcer Bill Goodwin, Axel Stordahl and the Orchestra and guest Danny Kaye, who joins Frank for a sketch “The Life of Frank Sinatra and the Life of Danny Kaye, at One and The Same Time.” Frank sings “Good, Good, Good,” “Laura,” “Lonely Love” and others. AFRS rebroadcast. (30 min)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10

PRIVATE PRACTICE OF DR. DANA (1-18-48) Jeff Chandler stars as Dr. Steven Dana, who investigates after a young man who appears to have amnesia is found floating in the bay. Cast: Rye Billsbury, Mary Lansing, Paul Frees, Daws Butler. Sustaining, CBS. (24 min)
HENRY MORGAN SHOW (3-21-50) With Arnold Stang, Pert Kelton, Art Carney, the Billy Williams Quartet, announcer Ed Herlihy. Morgan offers advice for dealing with a cold; interviews heavyweight boxer “Sailor” Carney and presents a newsreel, “Morgan’s Movie News.” Sustaining, NBC. (30 min)
DESTINATION FREEDOM (11-6-49) “The Man Who Owned Chicago,” starring Oscar Brown Jr. as Jean Baptiste DuSable, the man credited as the first permanent resident of what became Chicago. Cast includes Dean Olmquist, Fred Pinkard, Weslan Tilden, Russ Reed, Tony Parrish. Announcer is Hugh Downs. Sustaining, WMAQ. (30 min) Oscar Brown Jr. was born on October 10, 1925.
CHARLIE McCARTHY SHOW (2-24-46) With singer Anita Gordon, Ray Noble and the Orchestra and guest Tallulah Bankhead, who joins the cast for a spoof of her play A Royal Scandal. AFRS rebroadcast. (25 min)
BOX THIRTEEN (12-26-48) “Hot Box” starring Alan Ladd as Dan Holiday, with Sylvia Pickert as Suzy. Dan receives a letter advising him to bid on a teakwood box at an auction. Syndicated. (27 min)
BABY SNOOKS SHOW (10-17-47) Fanny Brice is Snooks, with Hanley Stafford as Daddy, Arlene Harris as Mummy, singer Bob Graham, Carmen Dragon and the Orchestra, announcer Harlow Wilcox. Snooks mistakenly donates two of Daddy’s new suits to a charity auction. Cast includes Frank Nelson. Spic ‘n’ Span, CBS. (29 min)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
DICK POWELL ON THE AIR

ROGUE’S GALLERY (11-8-45) “Little Drops of Rain,” starring Dick Powell as private investigator Richard Rogue, with Peter Leeds as Eugor. A woman hires Rogue to save her marriage and discovers her husband murdered. AFRS rebroadcast. (25 min) Read the article about Dick Powell in the Autumn 2026 issue of Nostalgia Digest.
SEALTEST VARIETY THEATER (10-21-48) Dorothy Lamour stars, with announcer Carlton Kadell, the Crew Chiefs, Henry Russell and the Orchestra and guests Dick Powell and Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. Powell joins Lamour for a sketch, “Happy Ending”; Dorothy sings “It’s a Most Unusual Day.” Sealtest, NBC. (29 min)
SUSPENSE (5-31-51) “Overdrawn” starring Dick Powell as a bank teller who sees an opportunity to enrich himself when his window is held up. Cast: Mary Jane Croft, Dick Crenna, Norman Field, Ed Max, Benny Rubin, Joseph Kearns. Harlow Wilcox announces. Auto-Lite, CBS. (30 min)
LUX RADIO THEATER (5-19-41) “Model Wife” starring Dick Powell and Joan Blondell in a radio version of their 1941 film. A husband and wife work together at a department store but must pretend to be single, in keeping with company policy. Cast includes Verna Felton, Fred MacKaye, Chester Clute, Eddie Marr, Ed Max, Adele Rowland, Gloria Blondell, Julie Bannon, Lou Merrill, Paula Francis, Stanley Farrar. Cecil B. DeMille hosts. Lux Soap, CBS. (28 min & 18 min & 14 min)
RICHARD DIAMOND, PRIVATE DETECTIVE (1-15-50) Dick Powell stars as Diamond, with Virginia Gregg as Helen Asher and Ed Begley as Lt. Walt Levinson. A newspaper publisher hires Diamond to protect his daughter while he prepares to publish an expose of the numbers racket. Cast: Wilms Herbert, Lawrence Dobkin, Jeanne Bates, Stan Waxman, Hy Averback, Paul Dubov. Sustaining, NBC. (30 min)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24
v CRIME CLUB (4-10-47) “The Grey Mist Murders” is the story of “a pleasure cruise that became a floating horror.” When an uninvited guest is murdered aboard a yacht, the three couples on board each suspect the other of the killing. Cast includes Chet Stratton, Sidney Smith, Helen Shields, Joan Alexander. Sustaining. MBS. (30 min)
ALDRICH FAMILY (11-6-41) Starring Ezra Stone as Henry Aldrich, Jackie Kelk as Homer, with House Jamison and Katharine Raht as Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich. Henry panics when he loses a questionnaire for a bodybuilding course. Cast includes John Brown; announcer is Harry von Zell. Postum, NBC. (29 min)
BOLD VENTURE (1951) Starring Humphrey Bogart as Slate Shannon and Lauren Bacall as Sailor Duval, with Jester Hairston as King Moses. A couple checks in to Shannon’s hotel, but trouble arises when the woman’s husband shows up. Syndicated. (27 min)
FRED ALLEN SHOW (5-22-49) With Portland Hoffa, Minerva Pious, Kenny Delmar, Peter Donald, Parker Fennelley, The DeMarco Sisters and Al Goodman and his Orchestra. Guests are F. Chase Taylor as Col. Lemuel Q. Stoopnagle and singer Gwen Conga. The residents of Allen’s Alley are asked about hobbies. Ford, NBC. (30 min)
CALLING ALL CARS (10-29-36) “The Army Game” is the story of a failed actress who takes a job for two men who are operating a bunco racket. With Esther Ralston as Cynthia, Howard McNear, Ted Osborne, narrator Charles Frederick Lindsley. Introduced by James Davis, Los Angeles Chief of police. Rio Grande Oil Co., CBS. (30 min)
COMMAND PERFORMANCE #143 (recorded 10-21-44) Eddie Cantor is master of ceremonies, with announcer Ken Carpenter, Janet Blair, Billy Gilbert, The Loumell Morgan Trio, Barbara Jo Allen as Vera Vague, Corinna Mura and Danny Thomas, who appears as postman Jerry Dingle. AFRS. (30 min)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31
ANNUAL HALLOWE’EN SHOW

ESCAPE (10-22-47) “The Fall of the House of Usher” starring Paul Frees in a radio adaptation of the story by Edgar Allan Poe. A man goes to visit a boyhood friend who claims to be suffering from a mysterious illness... and a family curse. With Ramsey Hill, Sheridan Hall. Sustaining, CBS. (30 min) Read the article about this and other scary radio shows in the Autumn 2026 issue of Nostalgia Digest.
ADVENTURES OF SAM SPADE (10-31-48) “The Fairly Bright Caper” starring Howard Duff as Spade, with Lurene Tuttle as Effie. Sam is hired to protect a Hallowe’en night society party, complete with a witch... and a murder. Cast includes Joseph Kearns, John McIntire, Jeanette Nolan. Dick Joy announces. Wildroot Cream Oil, CBS. (30 min)
SUSPENSE (12-5-46) “The House in Cypress Canyon” starring Robert Taylor, with Cathy Lewis, Joseph Kearns, Hans Conried, Howard Duff, Jim Backus. A young couple move into a house, where they hear unearthly cries... and see blood oozing from under a locked door. Roma Wines, CBS. (30 min)
GREAT GILDERSLEEVE (10-31-43) Harold Peary stars as Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve, with Walter Tetley as Leroy, Lillian Randolph as Birdie, Lurene Tuttle as Marjorie, Shirley Mitchell as Leila Ransom, Dick LeGrand, Earle Ross, Bea Benaderet. Gildy throws a Hallowe’en party and invites school principal Eve Goodwin, much to Leila’s chagrin. Kraft, NBC. (28 min)
BOSTON BLACKIE (9-10-47) Dick Kollmar stars as Blackie, with Maurice Tarplin as Inspector Faraday. Blackie investigates when four ships crash on a reef after seeing a mysterious light. Syndicated. (27 min)
LIGHTS OUT (8-3-43) “Murder Castle” starring Joseph Kearns and Mercedes McCambridge, in a story written and directed by Arch Oboler. A series of women visit a castle in response to a job listing and are never seen again. Ironized Yeast, CBS. (29 min)

Our Hallowe’en show will be heard on our ghost-to-ghost network and over the internet via screaming audio. Don’t miss it!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7

HALLS OF IVY (4-7-50) Ronald and Benita Colman star as William Todhunter Hall and his wife Victoria, first family of Ivy College. Dr. Hall awaits a call from Prof. Quincannon about joining a club, “The Ivy Once-a-Week Chamber Music and Knockwurst Society.” With Gloria Gordon, Alan Reed, Cliff Arquette, Frank Martin. Schlitz, NBC. (29 min)
THE DOCTOR’S WIFE (6-30-52) An isolated episode of the series, with Patricia Wheel and Donald Curtis as Julia and Dan Palmer, Margaret Hamilton as Betty, Mercer McLeod as Dr. Sanders, Mary Perry as Mrs. Irwin. Julia reads a letter from Dan’s brother while waiting for him to come home. Ex-Lax, NBC. (15 min)
STEVE ALLEN SHOW (10-26-49) An informal program of music, comedy and conversation, broadcast from Studio B at Columbia Square in Hollywood. Guest Al Jolson talks about the opening of the film Jolson Sings Again and sings “California, Here I Come,” “Sonny Boy” and others. KNX/CBS. (26 min and 23 min) Read the article about Steve Allen in the Autumn 2026 issue of Nostalgia Digest.
GUNSMOKE (5-16-53) The Big Con,” starring William Conrad as Marshal Matt Dillon, Parley Baer as Chester, Howard McNear as Doc, George Ellis as Kitty. A gambler goes to the Dodge City Bank in the middle of a card game, asking for a loan of $20.000. Sustaining, CBS. (30 min)
ADVENTURES OF MAISIE (5-17-51) Ann Sothern stars as Maisie Revere, the character she played in the MGM movie series. Maisie gets her boyfriend a job as a counselor for a boys’ group. Cast: Elvia Allman, Pat McGeehan, Johnny McGovern, Sandra Gould, Jeffrey Silver, Hy Averback, Peter Leeds. Syndicated. (27 min)
GREEN HORNET (11-14-42) “Torpedo on Wheels” starring Al Hodge as Britt Reid, with Raymond Toyo as Kato, Lee Allman as Lenore Case, Gilbert Shea as Mike Axford. The explosion of a truck carrying dynamite brings the Hornet in contact with a gang who claims to know his true identity. Syndicated, NBC BLUE. (26 min)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14
HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY, NBC!

NBC 15th ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM (11-15-41) Graham MacNamee is master of ceremonies for this “free for all,” in honor of NBC’s 15th anniversary, featuring appearances and performances from Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, Conrad Thibault, The Quiz Kids, Undersecretary of War Robert Patterson, the U.S. Army Band, Irene Rich, Bing Crosby, Chester Lauck and Norris Goff as Lum and Abner, Kay Kyser and his Orchestra, Lowell Thomas, Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox, the U.S. Navy Band, Jim and Marian Jordan as Fibber McGee and Molly, Bill Thompson as Wallace WImple, The Southernaires, FCC Chairman James Fly, the U.S. Marine Band, Red Skelton, Milton Cross, NBC Chairman David Sarnoff, network president Niles Trammell, Vivian Della Chiesa, John W. Vandercook, Rudy Vallee, Connee Boswell, Jack Benny and Don Wilson, Lucille Manners, Paul Douglas, Grantland Rice, Bill Stern, Ted Steele, H.V. Kaltenborn, Upton Close, The National Barn Dance, Ed East, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Glenn Miller and his Orchestra, Brad Reynolds, Harold Peary and Walter Tetley as Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve and Leroy, Percy Faith, Victor McLaglen and Edmund Lowe, The Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street, Ralph Dumke and Budd Hulick. NBC. (24 min & 21 min & 25 min & 14 min & 33 min & 35 min & 26 min) Read the article about NBC's first broadcast in the Autumn 2026 issue of Nostalgia Digest.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21
ANNUAL THANKSGIVING SHOW

JACK BENNY PROGRAM (11-23-47) With Mary Livingstone, Phil Harris, Eddie “Rochester” Anderson, Dennis Day, Don Wilson, Mel Blanc, Artie Auerbach. As Jack prepares to host the gang for Thanksgiving, Mary recalls when she and Jack went shopping for a turkey. Lucky Strike Cigarettes, NBC. (27 min)
CHALLENGE OF THE YUKON (11-28-46) “Thanksgiving in the Wilderness” starring Paul Sutton as Sgt. Preston. Sgt. Preston recalls a Thanksgiving of two years earlier when he and his dog King had to track down a kidnapped priest. Syndicated, WXYZ. (14 min)
DR. CHRISTIAN (11-22-39) “Prelude to Thanksgiving” starring Jean Hersholt as Dr. Christian, with Rosemary DeCamp as nurse Judy Price. As Thanksgiving nears, Dr. Christian is asked to settle a dispute between a mother and her adolescent tomboy daughter. Cast: Janet Russell, Gloria Holden, Edwin Mills, Eugene Dorian. Art Gilmore announces. Vaseline, CBS. (29 min)
FATHER KNOWS BEST (11-22-51) Robert Young stars as Jim Anderson, with Jean Vander Pyl as Margaret, Rhoda Williams as Betty, Ted Donaldson as Bud, Norma Jean Nilsson as Cathy. As the family sits down for Thanksgiving dinner, Jim tells them about a holiday prayer written by Benjamin Franklin. Maxwell House Coffee, NBC. (30 min)
HALLMARK PLAYHOUSE (11-24-49) “The Courtship of Miles Standish” starring David Niven as John Alden, with Ted Osborne as Miles and Frances Robinson as Priscilla in a radio adaptation of the famous story by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, about romance in the early days of the Plymouth colony. Cast includes William Conrad, Earle Ross. James Hilton hosts, with announcer Frank Goss. Hallmark Cards, CBS. (29 min)
STARS ON PARADE (November 1950) Kate Smith stars in a Thanksgiving program of “music and words of inspiration,” with Ted Collins as master of ceremonies. Kate sings “Bless This House” and others. U.S. Army and Airforce, Syndicated. (15 min)
JACK BENNY PROGRAM (11-30-47) With Mary, Phil, Rochester, Dennis, Don, Mel Blanc, Bea Benaderet, Frank Nelson, Artie Auerbach. In a follow-up to the previous week’s show, Jack dreams he’s on trial for killing a turkey. Lucky Strike Cigarettes, NBC. (27 min)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28
RADIO TO GET INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT BY

LIVING 1948 (12-12-48) “The Greatest Christmas Present” is the story of an immigrant family that comes to America for the birth of their child. With Stefan Schanbel; narrated by Ben Grauer. Sustaining, NBC. (29 min)
LIFE OF RILEY (12-17-44) William Bendix stars as Chester Riley, with Paula WInslowe as Peg, Conrad Binyon as Junior, John Brown as Digby O’Dell, the friendly undertaker. With the holiday still a week away, Riley receives a package that says “Do not open until Christmas.” Ken Niles announces. American Meat Institute, BLUE. (30 min)
CASEY, CRIME PHOTOGRAPHER (12-19-46) “Christmas Shopping” starring Staats Cotsworth as Casey, with Lesley Woods as Anne Williams, John Gibson as Ethelbert. Casey is doing his Christmas shopping when he sees a pickpocket in action. Anchor Hocking Glass, CBS. (30 min)
FLEISCHMANN YEAST HOUR (12-20-34) Rudy Vallee is master of ceremonies, with announcer Jimmy Wallington and guests Bebe Daniels, Ben Lyon, Lewis and Doty, Cal and Ernie Stanton and The English Singers, who perform the carols “I Saw Three Ships,” “Silent Night” and “We’ve Been a-While a-Wandering.” Fleischmann Yeast, NBC. (26 min and 30 min)
STARS OVER HOLLYWOOD (12-19-53) “A Christmas Carol” starring Edmund Gwenn in the roles of both Charles Dickens and Ebeneezer Scrooge, in a radio adaptation of the famous story, about a miserly man who learns the true meaning of Christmas. Cast: Gege Pearson, Parley Baer, Bill Johnstone, Vic Perrin, Eric Snowden, Raymond Lawrence. Art Ballinger announces. Carnation, CBS. (29 min)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5
RADIO TO PLAN YOUR LIST BY

FIBBER McGEE AND MOLLY (12-10-40) Jim and Marian Jordan star as the McGees, with Harold Peary as Gildersleeve, Bill Thompson as the Old-Timer and Horatio K. Boomer, Isabel Randolph as Mrs. Uppington, The King’s Men, Billy Mills and the Orchestra, announcer Harlow Wilcox. The McGees go to the post office to mail their Christmas gifts. Johnson’s Wax, NBC. (30 min)
THIS IS MY BEST (12-19-44) “The Plot to Overthrow Christmas” starring Orson Welles as Nero, Ray Collins as Santa Claus and John Brown as the Devil, in a play written by Norman Corwin. The denizens of the underworld have decided to do away with Santa Claus and Nero is chosen to perform the deed. Cresta Blanca Wines, CBS. (29 min)
CHRISTMAS SEAL CAMPAIGN SHOW (1948) Starring Jimmy Durante and Garry Moore, who try to convince Garry’s cousin Francis that there really is a Santa Claus. Christmas Seals, Syndicated. (14 min)
SHERLOCK HOLMES (12-21-47) “The Adventure of the Christmas Bride” starring John Stanley as Holmes and Alfred Shirley as Watson. At Christmas time, Holmes is hired to protect a young woman on the eve of her wedding. Clipper Craft Clothes, MBS. (28 min)
N-K MUSICAL SHOWROOM (12-19-45) A program of music starring The Andrews Sisters, with Curt Massey, announcer Harlow Wilcox, Vic Schoen and the Orchestra and guest Ray Noble, who plays “The Very Thought of You” and “Goodnight, Sweetheart.” The Sisters sing “Let It Snow” and duet with Curt on “Jingle Bells” and “White Christmas.” Nash-Kelvinator, CBS. (30 min)
SUSPENSE (12-22-52) “Arctic Rescue” starring Joseph Cotten in a dramatic re-creation of an actual event that took place on a Christmas night a century earlier. A group of brave men travel to the Arctic in a desperate effort to save a trapped ship. Cast includes Joseph Kearns, Fred MacKaye, Barney Phillips, Ben Wright, Norma Varden, Lillian Buyeff. Harlow Wilcox announces. Auto-Lite, CBS. (30 min) SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 RADIO TO ADDRESS CARDS BY MY FAVORITE HUSBAND (12-16-50) Lucille Ball and Richard Denning star as Liz and George Cooper, with Ruth Perrott as Katy. The Coopers need to get their Christmas cards and have a hard time deciding which ones to order. Jell-O, CBS. (30 min) HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL (12-21-58) John Dehner stars as Paladin, with Ben Wright as Hey Boy. At Christmas time, a rancher hires Paladin to find the son who was taken from him six years earlier. Cast: Vic Perrin, Jess Kirkpatrick, Roy Woods, Richard Beals, Ann Morrison, Virginia Christine. Sustaining, CBS. (24 min) SPOTLIGHT REVUE (12-24-48) Starring Spike Jones and His City Slickers, with Dorothy Shay, the Harry Stanton Choir, Doodles Weaver as Prof. Feedlebaum. Dorothy sings “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” and “White Christmas”; George Rock sings “All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth.” Later, Spike tells a story about the circus. Coca-Cola, CBS. (29 min) CHRISTMAS DAY IN AMERICA (12-25-46) A special interconnected “hour of entertainment and inspiration” featuring episodes of Life Can Be Beautiful, Ma Perkins, Pepper Young’s Family and The Right to Happiness, presented against the retelling of the nativity story. Narrated by Ron Rossen. Proctor and Gamble, NBC. (13 min & 15 min & 16 min & 14 min) JACK BENNY PROGRAM (12-13-53) Broadcasting from Palm Springs, with Mary Livingstone, Bob Crosby, Mel Blanc, Hy Averback, Frank Nelson, Joseph Kearns, Sheldon Leonard. Jack is shopping for Christmas gifts and decides to buy Don a box of dates. Lucky Strike Cigarettes, CBS. (26 min)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19
RADIO TO WRAP, BAKE, AND DECORATE BY

SCREEN DIRECTORS’ PLAYHOUSE (12-23-49) “Miracle on 34th Street” starring Edmund Gwenn in a radio adaptation of his 1947 film, directed by George Seaton. Kris Kringle must go on trial to prove that he is really Santa Claus. Narrated by Willard Waterman. Sustaining, NBC. (30 min)
FAMILY THEATER (12-19-51) “Lullaby of Christmas,” the Christmas fable about a young boy who cannot speak. Narrated by Roddy McDowell, with Lois Butler, Michael Edwards, Ted DeCorsia, Irene Tedrow. Ruth Hussey hosts. Sustaining, MBS. (30 min)
ABBOTT AND COSTELLO SHOW (12-21-44) With singer Connie Haines, Freddie Rich and the Orchestra, announcer Ken Niles, Elvia Allman, Mel Blanc, Artie Auerbach as Mr. Kitzel. Costello plans to throw a Christmas party for his little brother Sebastian. Connie sings “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” Camel Cigarettes, NBC. (29 min)
21st PRECINCT (12-22-54) “The Giver,” starring Everett Sloane as Capt. Kennelley, with Ken Lynch as Lt. Matt King, Harold Stone as Sgt. Waters. As they prepare to host the neighborhood children at a Christmas party, the police department fields a complaint from a woman in the neighborhood. AFRTS rebroadcast. (30 min)
CHRISTMAS SING WITH BING (12-24-58) Bing Crosby is “anchorman” for a program of seasonal music and greetings from around the world, with announcer Ken Carpenter, Paul Weston and the Orchestra, the Norman Luboff Choir and Bing’s wife Kathryn, who joins Bing to sing “Away in a Manger.” Insurance Companies of North America, CBS. (30 min and 30 min)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26
SEASON’S GREETINGS

RED SKELTON SHOW (12-26-51) WIth announcer Rod O’Connor, David Rose and the Orchestra, The Smith Twins, Lurene Tuttle, Pat McGeehan. The Skelton Scrapbook of Satire presents “‘Twas the Day After Christmas” with Red as Clem Kadiddlehopper and Junior, the Mean Little Kid. The Smith Twins sing “Kris Kringle.” Norge, CBS. (30 min)
THE WHISTLER (12-27-42) “The Double Cross” starring Joseph Kearns as The Whistler. At Christmas Time, an ex-con is implicated in a jewel robbery and must prove his innocence to everyone — including his brother-in-law. Cast includes Gerald Mohr. Sustaining, CBS. (30 min)
CHICAGO THEATRE OF THE AIR (12-24-49) “Babes in Toyland” is a radio adaptation of the famous operetta by Victor Herbert, about two children who must evade their wicked Uncle Barnaby as they search for Toyland. With Mary Frances Desmond, Jonathan Hole, Norman Gottschalk, Butler Manville, Sondra Gair, Carl Kronke, Elmire Ressler and Everett Clarke. Col. Robert R. McCormick speaks about Christmas. Sustaining, MBS. (13 min & 20 min & 26 min)
OUR MISS BROOKS (12-31-50) Eve Arden stars as Connie Brooks, with Gale Gordon as Principal Conklin, Jeff Chandler as Mr. Boynton, Richard Crenna as Walter Denton, Jane Morgan as Mrs. Davis, Gloria McMillan as Harriet Conklin, Joseph Kearns as Mr. Dale. It’s a few days after Christmas and Miss Brooks goes to the department store to exchange the gifts she received from Mr. Conklin and Mr. Boynton. Colgate-Palmolive, CBS. (30 min)
MYSTERIOUS TRAVELER (12-25-51) “Christmas Story” starring Leon Janney. Ann Shepherd and Lawson Zerbe, and Maurice Tarplin as the Mysterious Traveler. A man who is driving across the country with a stranger sees an opportunity to collect a fortune when the stranger is killed in an accident. Sustaining, MBS. (30 min)

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RADIO'S GOLDEN AGE

Our Radio's Golden Age series can be heard every Sunday evening from 6-9 pm Central time on KXEL-AM. See the schedule for Radio's Golden Age in every issue of Nostalgia Digest.